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SEI Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) Product Provider BEM2026
CASE STUDY 1: The Naval Base
Large Naval Base with attached dockyard. Base has multiple legacy buildings and large quantities of relatively inefficient industrial machinery. In 2007, Electricity usage amounted to several hundred thousand euro. Quite apart from price rises, this was set to increase by 20% in 2008.
INSTALLATION
In September 2007, ResourceKraft metering systems were installed by contracted electricians on 10 separate three-phase sub circuits and 2 main incomers at two separate substations within the complex. The main incomers were rated at 1000amps per phase, while the sub circuits were rated at between 100 and 600 amps per phase. The installation took a total of 1.5 person days and only involved 30 minutes of down time during installation on un-insulated busbars.
BENEFITS
For the first time, it was clearly understood what was being used on the large sub circuits. It was discovered that 10% of the users were consuming in the region of 90% of the electricity. Where as previously the customer could only see overall usage once a month on two utility bills, he could now see clearly:
When the Electricity was being used,
Where it was being used, and
How it was being.
INVESTMENT
€15,000 including VAT
REWARDS
The major savings were in the reduction of the electricity utility bills, which as of early 2008 were set to reduce by 30%. Another major impact was that the increased understanding of where and when electricity was being used meant that the utilisation of the substations could be more closely monitored. It had been perceived for some time that the bases substations were at risk of becoming overloaded as major loads were added without warning. With the information provided by ResourceKraft Advisor, it became possible to institute load management procedures thereby relieving the need to upgrade the substation infrastructure.
CASE STUDY 2: The Supermarket
Twohigs Supervalu is a thriving local supermarket situated in the centre of Kanturk, a market town in Co. Cork. In 2007, Electricity usage amounted to over one hundred and forty thousand Euro. As the next most significant single cost after labour, there were no measurements beyond their monthly bill.
INSTALLATION
In October 2007, a ResourceKraft Advisor Energy Cost Control and Monitoring system was installed by the stores electrician on 3 separate three-phase sub circuits and the main incomer within the complex. The Mains supply, Lighting, Refrigeration and the Delicatessen/Bakery were measured directly while the General Services/Air Conditioning was set up as a virtual circuit. The installation was completed within a day with just 30 minutes out-of-hours down-time.
BENEFITS
Where as previously the customer could only see their overall usage once a month, they can now see clearly and understand for the first time, what was being used, when it is being used and by whom. It was discovered that:/p>
Over 40% of the overall daily consumption was on refrigeration, rising to over 60% at night,
Shop floor refrigeration use remained at over 85% of day use, and
The true cost of running the air curtains was established at €4.00 an hour.
INVESTMENT
€5,000 including installation
REWARDS
Significant areas for savings were quickly identified and acted on:
Basic Refrigeration maintenance (saving €3370 annually)
Lighting: 1/3 lighting for early morning shelf stacking (saving €360 annually), Light bulb & fitting changes (saving €4,273 annually)
Air Curtains – Though weather dependent, now under strict Management Control (estimated saving of over €2,000 annually)
Cover Shop Freezer at night (estimated return on investment 8 months, saving €4,700 annually)
With savings totalling €14,200 so far, Energy management is now part of the stores normal management process. With the information provided by ResourceKraft Advisor, investments in energy efficiency can now be measured and the returns quickly validated. Management are planning investment in further cost-saving initiatives.
"The monitoring and reports opened our eyes. Its got the managers involved and they are now watching everything. I would absolutely recommend it”, Bernie Collins, Twohig Supervalu Office manager.